NASCAR has been looking to expand its growth by exploring different territories. And their EV goals are one of the biggest ambitious projects. When NASCAR first pulled the cover off its all-electric prototype at the 2024 Chicago Street Race, the backlash was swift. Among the loudest critics was 2014 Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick. The veteran didn’t hold back. On his “Happy Hour” podcast, he slammed the sport’s shift toward electrification.

“There’s really nothing about a race car that doesn’t make noise that has any excitement for me,” Harvick said. That one sentence summed up what many fans were thinking but few were saying out loud. NASCAR has long built its identity on roaring V8s and the raw smell of burning fuel. The electric prototype, with its flax-based fiber body and 1,300 horsepower, looked like the future. But it didn’t sound like it. The demo lap in Chicago included a standing start—a move to show off EV torque—but fans weren’t impressed.

And yet, despite the skepticism, NASCAR kept pushing forward. Now, less than a year later, the storyline has flipped. One of its brightest young stars, Rajah Caruth, mentored by none other than Bubba Wallace, is stepping into a Formula E car as part of a first-ever EV exhibition event at Homestead-Miami. Backed by a $90 billion electrification giant in ABB, NASCAR is not just dipping a toe into electric waters—it’s diving in headfirst. But before the mega showdown event is already in jeopardy.

Rajah Caruth’s electric leap is under massive threat!

On April 12, the Homestead-Miami Speedway will host a moment NASCAR never thought it would see. In a joint exhibition with Formula E, ABB will feature its GEN3 EVO racecar alongside the ABB NASCAR EV Prototype. Even more noteworthy: two emerging stars will drive them. Jamie Chadwick, one of the most accomplished women in racing, will take the wheel of the NASCAR EV.

Meanwhile, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver and one of the sport’s most promising talents, Rajah Caruth, will jump into the Formula E car. This is no ordinary demo. ABB, now NASCAR’s electrification partner, is using the event to showcase how motorsports can bridge the gap between performance and sustainability. However, the event is under massive threat. According to NASCAR insider Adam Stern, Caruth will only get the chance to drive the Formula E car if the Truck race in Bristol concludes on Friday.

“Rajah Caruth will take part in an ABB-sponsored driver swap with Jamie Chadwick before tomorrow’s Formula E race at Homestead, though it’s contingent on tonight’s Truck race not being postponed,” he posted. To Caruth and NASCAR’s shock, the Truck race at Bristol is on mercy of mother nature. As of this writing, the weather has already cancelled the Truck Series qualifying at Bristol. It’s 48°F with light rain and winds near 10 mph.

Forecasts suggest rain should clear around 6-7 PM ET. Track drying should be manageable, but lingering moisture and weepers could delay things further. Caruth’s participation at Homestead depends on whether the Truck race runs Friday night. While the threats are real, this opportunity defines how Caruth is building his legacy in NASCAR. He already won a race in the Truck Series at 22 and ranks among the three Black drivers to reach victory lane in NASCAR’s national divisions.

Last year, he finished seventh in the Truck Series standings and won at Las Vegas. He’s logged two top-10 finishes in the first five races this year. As one of the sport’s few Black stars, he shoulders the weight of representation. Now, he’s tasked with representing NASCAR in a global electric racing format. Well, we know the drama that unfolded last year when Kyle Larson missed the Coca-Cola 600 to make his Indy 500 debut. Even if the race is delayed, Caruth will lean towards his commitment in driving the No. 71 Spire Motorsports truck.

Not to forget, there’s a new playoff waiver rule in place by NASCAR, which allows drivers and teams to make a call about missing one race. In case Caruth decides to miss the Bristol race, he will lose out on all the playoff points he earns in the regular season, thus making his potential run in the playoffs a painful one. While it is a good opportunity for Caruth to be the face of changing motorsports technology, missing the race isn’t a risk his team would be willing to take. But, Chadwick, on the other hand, has a free hand to test what NASCAR’s newest innovation feels like.

Jamie Chadwick will test NASCAR’s ABB EV Prototype. Chadwick is one of the most accomplished female drivers in motorsports, with multiple W Series championships under her belt. She has also claimed titles in the British GT4 and MRF Challenge Formula 2000 and currently leads the LMP2 standings in the European Le Mans Series. Her role in piloting the NASCAR EV Prototype puts a spotlight on her versatility and the sport’s broader push toward diversity and sustainability.

Trending

1

Ex-NASCAR Champion & Motorsports Hall of Famer’s Death Leaves Racing World Mourning

2

NASCAR Rumor: Rick Hendrick Pulls Away Toyota Prospect As Dale Earnhardt Jr. Lets Slip Major Xfinity Update

3

Embarrassment for Joe Gibbs Racing as Early Leak Leaves NASCAR Fans Gutted

4

Kevin Harvick Opens His Door For NASCAR’s Next Female Driver Switching Up her Career After Nearly 10 Years

5

NASCAR Fans Confused as Kyle Larson’s Insanity Forces Roger Penske to Bring the “Larson” Rule to IndyCar

Will NASCAR be able to get another OEM with EV in mind?

NASCAR’s electric ambitions don’t just depend on flashy prototypes or star drivers like Caruth. They depend on manufacturers willing to bet on the sport’s evolving identity. Right now, NASCAR has three manufacturers: Ford, Chevrolet, and Toyota. But there’s talk of a fourth. Honda’s name keeps popping up. The Japanese giant is reportedly wrapping up operations in IndyCar and could be looking for a new home.

But there’s a catch. Bringing in a new OEM means changing the dynamic in the garage. Existing manufacturers have built decades-long legacies in NASCAR. Adding a fourth changes the power structure, and for NASCAR to keep them happy is difficult. However, according to NASCAR commissioner Steve Phelps, current OEMs are looking to get another player on the table. “I do think our existing three OEs are very encouraged and want additional OEMs to come into this sport. That, to me, is important,” he said.

However, behind the scenes, it’s complicated. A new OEM means new marketing, new engines, and possibly a move toward hybrid or full-electric engines. That shift won’t sit well with everyone. Racing fans already pushed back when NASCAR debuted the EV prototype. If a fourth OEM arrives tied to electrification, backlash could intensify.

NASCAR’s long-term goals include net-zero operating emissions by 2035. The ABB partnership is part of that. But making EVs a real part of the racing product—not just a sideshow—will require more than sustainability pledges. It’ll require buy-in from manufacturers and fans alike. Until then, the sport walks a tightrope: stay true to its roots or evolve with the times.